OAP Do2dtun expressed discontent after South African singer Tyla won the Best Afro Beats category at the recent VMA awards
She wrote;
Aunty @tyla aka am not Afrobeats, I
am Amapiano. We have heard you but your
song “Water” isn’t amapiano either.
If you thought you were categorized in a wrong category, you should have given the award back or denounced the nomination.
You clearly took an award that didn’t represent you or your sound from that statement you made.
Again, you see why you “ESAUS” need to rethink. You all sold our birthright for peanuts. Afrobeat is Afrobeat not Afrobeats hence the statement you made”
Do2dtun criticized Nigerian artists for surrendering ownership and control of Afrobeat, their cultural heritage, to others, implying that they have prioritized personal gain over preserving their musical roots.
A few selfish ones renamed an established genre to satisfy their pay masters. Yet again you see why it’s best to let the originators be allowed to educate the world.”
Do2dtun argued that Tyla’s win for Best Afrobeat song at the VMAs was undeserved because she identifies as an Amapiano artist, not Afrobeats.
He believes that the term “Afrobeats” was hastily modified to suit external interests, leading to an identity crisis and loss of ownership for Nigerian artists.
Do2dtun thinks that Nigerians should have preserved the original term “Afrobeat” and educated others on its unique sound and characteristics, rather than allowing outsiders to redefine it.
